History of the Māori seats

Created in 1867 as a temporary measure, the four Maori seats continued for over a hundred years to provide some voice for Maori in Parliament.

It was often a muffled voice and one easily ignored in a democratic structure dominated by non-Māori members. But with the first elections under MMP in 1996, Māori interest in the political world expanded, numbers on the Māori electoral roll increased, and Māori were entitled to more seats.

The Foreshore and Seabed Act 2004 was followed by the establishment of the Māori Party and greater political party interest to work with Māori .